Another Piece of My Heart

Andi has spent much of her adult life looking for the perfect man, and at thirty-seven, she's finally found him. Ethan, divorced with two daughters, Emily and Sophia, is a devoted father and even better husband. Always hoping one day she would be a mother, Andi embraces the girls like they were her own. But in Emily's eyes, Andi is an obstacle to her father's love, and Emily will do whatever it takes to break her down. When the dynamics between the two escalate, they threaten everything Andi believes about love, family, and motherhood, leaving both women standing at a crossroad in their lives and in their hearts.

Comment

This was a decent book that kept me interested, but I want to make a comment about the three year-old boy, Cal. Does anyone else find it a bit unrealistic that a three year old would understand adoption and the concepts of "tummy mommy" versus actual mother? It seemed a little too convenient to the story that he thought of these things himself and interjected, without prompting from adults, once Emily came back.

I also liked the author's commentary, through the character of Emily, that not everyone is born with a 'maternal instinct' or else can exercise it immediately because she has a baby. There are probably way too many teenage parents who keep their children because they feel pressured to, and they do not have other family members able and willing to step in as Ethan and Andi did. How sad.

A patron review from the Adult Summer Reading Game: A very light read about a women who wants to find love and get married and have lots of babies! She meets the perfect man and it takes you through their journey. The drama with the oldest daughter carries on for a bit too much of the book. The end brought everything all together with all the characters living happily ever after. - a good light weekend read :)

I struggled to engage with the matter-of-fact narrative style up to page 50 and decided that I didn't want to witness several hundred pages of bitterness and family drama so I skipped to the epilogue. Kudos to the author for tackling a pervasive family issue (step-parenting and the toll that alcoholism exacts upon families) but her style of telling (rather than showing or describing) how a character feels doesn't resonate with me.

nina38
Jul 05, 2012

Very good story, real life of the struggles some familys go through. I could relate to the step children.

Summary

This was a very powerful novel.It explores the complications of a woman marrying into a ready made family, and the true meaning of motherhood.
Andi found the love of her life at the age of thirty-seven. He already has 2 kids, Sophia 8, and Emily 12. Sophia adores Andi, but Emily despises Andi. Emily will do whatever it takes to get rid of Andi. This will threaten everything Andi believes about love, family, and motherhood. READ the book to find out MORE!!